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November 2006 |
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LUFKIN, Texas - Dry counties in Texas are drying up, and it's not because of the heat. As more counties seek to change antiquated laws that regulate the sale of licensed beverages, more counties are giving voters the chance to decide whether their county of residence should be wet or dry, reports the Houston Chronicle.
Today, 42 counties in the state's 254 counties are dry, compared to 87 dry counties in 1975. Most of the dry counties are located in West Texas and the Panhandle, where 28 counties remain dry and have populations of less than 10,000. Angelina County, which has roughly 82,000 residents, is the second-most populated dry county in the state following Smith County with a population of about 188,000.
The newspaper notes that in late 2003, changes in state law eased the ability for counties to put alcohol sales on local ballots. Since then, there have been 177 elections across the state "to legalize some form of alcohol sales." According to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, about 82 percent have passed.
For Angelina County residents such as Sarah Strinden, allowing alcohol sales can't come soon enough. "We don't buy a lot and store it, so when we 're planning a casual drink with friends it's a 40-minute trip," she told the newspaper. "It's just inconvenient."
In November, Angelina County residents will cast their votes whether to allow local convenience and grocery stores to sell beer and wine, as well as allow restaurants to serve beer, wine and mixed drinks. The newspaper notes that the upcoming vote comes as "part of a wave of local-option elections that are steadily 'wetting up' the more populous parts of Texas."
John Hatch, a political consultant in Texas, told the newspaper that alcohol sales would bring in significant tax revenue. He said a grocery store is likely to sell about $25,000 worth of beer and wine a week. He explained how in 2004, the eastern Dallas suburb of Rowlett voted to allow beer and wine sales. Those residents had previously purchased alcohol from stores in neighboring Mobile City. In 2005, without Rowlett resident's alcohol revenue, Mobile City's sales tax reimbursements decreased by 22 percent.
"Beer and wine in grocery stores and the possibility of a drink with a restaurant meal is what's in demand with most Texans," Glen Garey, general counsel for the Texas Restaurant Association, told the newspaper, adding, "We don't get much push-back on those options."
Source: NACS Daily
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NACS Show A Success For Fintech Representatives
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The 24-7 atmosphere of Las Vegas was even more so in early October as the convenience and petroleum retailing industry took Las Vegas by storm for the NACS Show 2006. From the General Sessions to educational sessions to the 380,000 square foot expo floor, the NACS Show featured something for everyone.
Attendees hit the Show floor on Monday, October 9, which also featured two inaugural events: the Convenience Chef Showdown and the Teen Trendspotters Panel. Over the next three days, Fintech representatives had the opportunity to meet with many current and potential clients, while also solidifying relationships with third-party vendors.
On Wednesday, October 11, the NACS Show 2006 came to its conclusion. During the Closing General Session, Scott Hartman passed the gavel to Sam Turner as the 2006-2007 Chairman of the association. Turner then addressed attendees on NACS priorities for the coming year, including credit card fees, motor fuels issues, healthcare and technology. Guest speaker General Tommy Franks (Ret.) took the stage and shared his unique perspective on global and current U.S. issues, as well as his experiences during 38 years of service in the U.S. military as a leader and manager.
For complete coverage of the NACS Show 2006, pictures and educational session information and handouts, log on to the NACS Show Online.
The NACS Show 2007 will take place November 6 to 9 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Excerpted courtesy of NACS
Photo above shows Fintech salesman Paul Byrum discussing beverages with a Coca-Cola representative |
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Click here to enter the contest!
Enter our quarterly contest to win a gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers such as Target, Costco, Kroger, Exxon, Applebees, Outback and others!
First Prize (1 winner)
$500 gift certificate
Second Prize (1 winner)
$100 gift certificate
Third Prize (5 winners)
$50 gift certificate
Congratulations Winners!
Please join us in congratulating our winners of our quarterly Fintech Focus newsletter contest (02/06):
First Prize - $500 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers
Keith Crabtree - FEB Distributing
Second Prize - $100 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers
Dee Teachout - O & W, Inc.
Third Prize - $50 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers
Lisa Jones - Eagle Rock Distributing
Brenda Wells - Cannon Oil Corp.
Jane Treon - J. M. Davis Industries, Inc.
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Distributors
American Northwest Distributors
Belamin Inc.
Best Cellars Int'l.
City Beverage Company - OH
City Wholesale Liquor Company
Delta Wholesale Liquors
Focus Wine Distributors
Integris Wine Partners
Johnson Brothers Finocchiaro
K Element, Inc.
Lakeside Distributing
New World Wines, LLC
O'Malley Beverage, Inc. - MO
Post Familie Winery
Republic Beverage - El Paso
Republic Beverage - Amarillo
Republic Beverage - Odessa
Sabina Products, Inc.
SEC Enterprises, Inc.
Selected Brands Distributor, LLC
Southern Bev. Co. of Hattiesburg
Star Distributors, Inc.
Washington Wholesale Liquor Co. |
Bars
O'Hare Bar & Grill
Rocket Liquors, Inc.
Sideline Sports Bar
Skybridge
The Distillery
The Grape at International Plaza
Ventura Country Club
Convenience Stores
Fast Trac
Fort Hills Fast Trip
Marr, Inc.
MHC Convenience, LLC
Petrosoft Inc
Rudy's Operation Co/Denny Oil
Sunset Marts
Super L Ranch Market
West Side Marathon
Whitehouse Sunoco
Drug Stores
Pineywoods Beverages, LLC
Hotels
Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Liquor Stores
Lawrence Liquors
The Cork Liquors VII
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Restaurants
7th Heaven Eatery
Big Al's
Bugsy's Entertainment Group
Cafe Ole
Cosi / Cosi, Inc.
Creekside Restaurant, LLC
Genghis Grill
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Le Colonial / SCS Chicago, LLC
Le Passage
Maybar 103 Associates, Ltd
Midtown Kitchen
Molly Darcys On The Beach
Owl's Eyes, Inc.
Prime Time Steak House
Red Mtn Ranch Country Club
Rock Bar
Saga
Shipwreck Tavern & Grill
Stone Gate Prime Steaks & Seafood
The Club
The End Zone Sports Bar & Grill
The Grape Development Co.
TJF Westchase, LLC
Uberstein
Other
B.E. Princess, Inc.
Landmark Theatres
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